The History on Film Podcast

Ross is joined by entertainment and media journalist and film critic Candice Frederick to discuss the year in horror movies! Why the genre is having a resurgence, the influence of Gen Z creators with hits like OBSESSION and BACKROOMS, and what it means when the world wants to be scared. Happy Halloween!FURTHER READING:Aviva, Briefel (ed). Labors of Fear: The Modern Horror Film Goes to Work.Quackenbush, Robert. Movie Monsters and Their Masters: The Birth of the Horror Film.FURTHER WATCHING:HALLOWEEN (1978)RESIDENT EVIL (2026)

Ross is joined by Dr. Melissa Beattie to discuss fictional countries in modern media. What do these depictions tell us about how the West conceptualizes different parts of the world and how do they reinforce particular views over others? WARNING: MAY CONTAIN A LOT OF FOUCAULTIAN THEORY TALK.FURTHER READING:Beattie, Melissa. Fictitious Countries in Media.FURTHER WATCHING:MOON OVER PARADOR (1988)

Ross is joined by returning guest Dr. David Morton to dive into the history of filmmaking in the city of Miami. They discuss the geopolitical influence of the area and Miami's reputation as an unofficial cultural capital of both Latin America and organized crime. David is awarded the podcast's highest and most prestigious honorarium.FURTHER READING:Morton, David. Motion Picture Paradise: A History of Florida's Film and Television Industry.FURTHER WATCHING:Miami Connection (1987)Miami Vice (1984-1990)

Ross is joined by Dr. Vincent Haddad to talk about his new book NEXT TIME ON DRAGON BALL. They discuss the long-running franchise, including what makes it so beloved globally and why it hasn't received the same scholarly attention as other popular anime. FURTHER READING:Haddad, Vincent. Next Time on Dragon Ball: Playing with a Manga and Anime Franchise.FURTHER WATCHING:"Dragon Ball: The Path to Power" (1996)

Ross is joined by Chris Wade to discuss current trends in the world of music! They dig into the challenges facing artists and the industry as a whole, as well as the recent wave of music biopics and what they tell us about musicians and the state of popular culture. All this, plus nepo baby discourse, a new segment called "RUSH Update", and much more!FURTHER READING:Milner, Greg. Perfecting Sound Forever: An Aural History of Recorded Music.DeVille, Chris. Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion.FURTHER WATCHING:HEAD (1968)MAHLER (1974)AMADEUS (1984)SELENA (1997)WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY (2007)HEAR MORE CHRIS ON:Chapo Trap HouseAnd IntroducingInfinite Cast

Ross kicks off season 3 with returning guests Drs. Brad Schwartz and Joshua Shepperd talking about NETWORK. They discuss the film's continuing relevancy 50 years later, the mythology of Murrow, and the corporatization of American news media. Plus, a mailbag segment, a detailed breakdown of the QB drama in Cleveland, and something called "Thunderpants". Welcome back!FURTHER READING:Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business.Fisher, Mark. Capitalist Realism: Is There no Alternative?Johnston, Carla B. Screened Out: How the Media Control Us and What We Can Do About it.West, Darrell. The Rise and Fall of the Media Establishment.Schudson, Michael. Discovering The News: A Social History of American Newspapers.Boorstin, Daniel. The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America.Itzkoff, David. Mad as Hell: The Making of Network and the Fateful Vision of the Angriest Man in Movies.Halberstram, David. The Powers That Be.FURTHER WATCHING:The Candidate (1972)Born in Flames (1983) Bulworth (1998)Don’t Look Up (2021)Thunderpants (2002)Clerks: the Animated Series